Since Jan. 20, President Donald Trump has held just one solo press conference. In contrast, George H. W. Bush held 18 pressers in his first 200 days, and Obama held nine -- and even the notoriously press-averse George W. Bush held three. Critics say Trump is breaking 64 years of precedent and dodging accountability to the American people. Even some allies say Trump should use the press to get his message out. But defenders say Trump has social media, he doesn't need the press. What do you think?

PERSPECTIVES

At CNN, Jill Disis and Brian Stelter note that Trump lags far behind his predecessors when it comes to solo press conferences. Carrie Dann at NBC News commented on the lapse:

"The White House argues that the president is accessible through social media and that the press staff has broadened its reach by including out-of-town reporters in its press briefings....But when it comes to the most time-honored of White House methods of communication, Trump remains behind."

But given that President Trump has arguably the most hostile relationship with the press of any president in modern history, it's unsurprising he is so infrequently available to answer their questions.

Many Trump fans actually prefer him to go around the mainstream media and communicates directly through social media accounts. Trump and his supporters see the media as the enemy, not a group that he should be held accountable to.

But other supporters say a press conference is the ideal bully pulpit for Trump to advocate for his policy agenda. They want him to hold conferences to advocate for the repeal and replace of Obamacare, tax reform, and job creation efforts.

Pres Trump, maybe you and your vision for what healthcare should be inserted in the process. Sell it. Have a press conference.Go to Cap Hill https://t.co/1mUQQhHZOM

And with questions swirling about the Russia investigation, White House staff shakeups and leaks, and Trump's twitter threats against North Korea, many say the president does not want to deal with public questioning from the media.

Trump has had one solo press conference. He Tweets like a manic. He can't stand up under questions.

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